Electric motor control system



April 4, 1950 s. A. BROOKE, JR, ET AL MIC IOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1944 INVENTORS: GeozyeA 6100M, By Caz-161672011256 ATTORNEYS.

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April 4, 1950 a. A. BROOKE; JR, EIAL ELECTRIC MOTOR CONTROL sysm 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 26, 1944 J a a a 22225; Geo e e 1:, ('a galkflllifiez's. WW ATTORNEYS.

April 4, 1950 s. A. BROOKE, JR; ET AL 2,503,091

mc'mxc uo-rog comm. SYSTBI Filed April 26. 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 eABzoolelh.

INVENTORS. Geo

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ATTORNEYS.

g7 Mia-By ifuaflw Patented Apr. 4, 1950 ELECTRIC MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM George A. Brooke, Jr., Philadelphia, and Carl 0. Chambers, Lansdowne, Pa., assignors to Brooke Engineering Compan y, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a

corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 26, 1944, Serial No. 532,744

1 Claim.

This invention relates to control systems useful in governing various types of apparatus or machinery where extreme accuracy in control is necessary to insure uniformity in the product or in its output, and has reference more particularly to systems in which the control is effected with the aid of electronic devices.

One of the aims of our invention is to make it possible to confine the action of a movable part of an apparatus or machine to a relatively small range, with a view toward preventing excessive deviation thereof in one direction or the other from a desired normal or neutral position to the exclusion of attendant vibration or tendency to hunt. This desideratum is realized in practice as hereinafter more fully disclosed through provision of a control system which includes two detector elements, which may be in the form of photo-elec tric cells, induction coils, or even condensers, which are so spaced as to be both normally eclipsed or overlapped partially by the movable object; means sensitive to different electric signal impulses produced incident to slight movement of the object in either direction from a central neutral position relative to the two detector elements; and a compensated control means which, when influenced by the differences in the magnitude of the signal impulses, causes the actuation of a reversible device in the proper direction to operate the mechanism or means relied upon to bring about return movement of the object to said neutral position.

Another object of our invention is to make possible the reestablishment of the normal positional relationship between the detector elements and the movable object in the event that the latter passes in either direction entirely out of the range of said detector elements. This objective is re alized in practice as also hereinafter more fully set forth, through provision of supplementary means in a system such as above characterized which is responsive to the magnitude of the signal impulses, and which is capable of prolonging a signal impulse when once set up to keep the reversible device moving in the proper direction until the object is again within the sphere of influence of the two detectors for reestablishment of its normal positional relationship to the detectors under modulated control.

Still another object of our invention is to make it possible to record the action of an object which is permitted to move at random. This and we achieve, likewise as hereinafter disclosed in detail, by utilizing the reversible means under compensative control to cause the two detector devices to 2 follow the movements of the object, and at the same time to operate a suitable form of recorder.

We are of course aware that it is not new to employ various forms of detector elements to produce electric signal impulses proportional to the relative position of a movable object for control purposes. In the system of our present invention, however, the causes of error characteristic of prior art electronic control systems are eliminated through use of a "null" or normally balanced electric circuit arrangement in which two detector elements are included whose signals are normally balanced, together with the reversible device which will be actuated directionally as a consequence of unbalancing of the system through unequal impulses received from one or the other or both of said detectors. As will later appear, a control system of our invention will not be affected by variations in the applied voltage supply irrespective of the kind of detector elements employed, no: will a system embodying our invention and utilizing photo-electric cells as detectors be affected :2 changes in the light conductivity of the air, gas, liquid, transparent solids or surfaces which the light beams may be obliged to penetrate to illuminate the photo-electric cells, by variations in the light conductivity of the moving object. or by changes in the intensity of the light source.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following description of the attached drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing our improved control system arranged to maintain a movable object in a desired normal or neutral position between the two photo-electric cells.

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement generally like that of Fig. 1 with supplemental means for automatically returning the moving object to normal or neutral position in the event that it passes entirely out of the range of the light beams in either direction.

Fig. 3 shows a modified arrangement of our invention in which the light beams and the photoelectric cells are mounted for movement by a reversible motor means to follow the movable object; in which a recorder is at the same time operated by said motor means, and in which means is included for automatically restoring the movable object to normal or neutral position upon movement thereof in either direction beyond the range of the two light beams.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the system illustrated in 1'18. 3, and

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of our invention in which the signal impulses are inductively produced thrown use of spaced coils as detectors.

Embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1

With more detailed'reference first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the character I designates a vertical transparent tube of a variable orifice flow meter which is interposed in a pipe-line 2 for upward passage through it o! fluid under governance of a valve 3, the latter being operable through the medium of speed reduction gearing 4, by a reversible split field electric motor 5. A movable object in the form of a float 6 observable through the transparent wall of the metering tube I rises or falls in accordance with changes in the rate of the flow of the fluid within the limits prescribed by stops indicated at S and S'.

The control system which we have devised for governing the motor 5 in response to up-anddown movements of the float 8 (in this instance within the limits of the stops S, S) so that the rate of fluid flow through-the metering tube I may be maintained substantially constant within a small range, includes a source 1 of light, which, as shown, may be an incandescent bulb. Light beams from the'bulb I are directed by a pair of vertically-spaced parallel bars 8 and 9 of "1ucite or the like to pass through the transparent metering tube I in the region of the float 5 for transmission to a pair of axially aligned similar bars i and II at the opposite side of said tube. Positioned respectively adjacent the rear ends of the barslfl and II are detector elements in the form of photo-electric cells l2 and I3 (which may be of the 929 type) which are affected by changes oi light intensity when the float 6 rises or falls within the metering tube I from the normal poistion in which it is illustrated as partially eclipsing both light beams. The anodes of the photo-electric cells l2 and 13 are respectively connected through conductors l4 and I5 to the control grids of a pair of amplii'ying tubes l6 and I1 which may be of the type 6J5. At I8 is indicated a two-plate rectifier tube (which may be of the type 6H6) whereof the plate or anode I9 is connected by a conductor 20 to the cathodes of the photo-electric cells l2 and IS. The filaments of the light bulb and the tubes I6. l1 and I8 are connected in series in a circuit 2|, 22, 23, 24, 25 which supplies the heating current. Serially arranged in the conductor 26 which connects the cathodes of the photoelectric tubes l2 and 3 with the cathode of the amplifying tube I6 is a fixed resistance 2'! of 1,000,000 ohms, and a 15,000 ohm potentiometer 28 whereof the slide is connected, through a conductor 29, with the mid point of a resistance 30 extending across the conductors l4 and i5, the subdivisions 3| and 32 of the last mentioned resistance being each of the order of 5 megohms. The potentiometer 28 permits adjustment of the grid bias of the amplifying tubes l6 and IT, while the condensers shown at 33 serve to smooth out ripples in the voltages delivered to the grids of said tubes, the resistances 3| and 32 being relied upon to serve as grid returns. Another condenser 34 connected across the conductors 20 and 25 prevents surges in the direct current supply to the cathodes of photo-electric cells l2 and 3. The remainder of the control system in Fig. l is identical with that disclosed in a copending U. S. Patent Number 2,371,590, patented March 13, 1945, filed by us on June 6, 1942. Thus it further includes conductors 36 and 31 which connect the plates or anodes of the amplifiers l6 and I! with the end of the primary coil 38 of a push-pull transformer 4|, the mid point of said coil being connected to one side 42 of a current supply line. The ends of the secondary coil 43 of the transformer 4| are respectively connected through conductors 46 and 41 with the grids of thyratrons 49 and 50 (which may be of the type F. G. 17) with interposition of resistance-condenser grid networks 5|, 52 and 53, 54 and fixed resistances and 56. The resistances 5| and 53 may respectively be of the order of 50,000 ohms, the condensers 52 and 54 of the order of .25 microfarad, and the resistances 55 and 56 also of the order of 50,000 ohms. The filaments or cathodes of the thyratrons 49 and 50 are heated by transformed current supplied from a source 51. Conductors 59 and 60 connect the plates or anodes of the thyratrons 49 and 50 with the opposite ends of the subdivisions SI and 62 of the split field coil 63 of the reversible motor 5. Leading from the plate or anode of the thyratron 50 is a feed-back conductor 64 which terminates at the mid point of the secondary coil 43 of the push-pull transformer 4! and which has interposed in it resistances 65 and 66 of 115,000 and 5,000 ohms, respectively. Resistances 69 and 10 of 500,000 ohms each are respectively connected across'the conductors 46. 41 and the conductor 6'! which latter is connected at H to one side L of a supply line through a condenser 12 of .25 microfarad capacity. From the plate or anode 13 of the rectifying tube i9 extends a wire 15 which connects with the feedback conductor 64 at a point between the resistances 65 and 66, and provides the necessary negative biasing voltage.

Normally the photo-electric cells l2 and i3 are eclipsed to the same' extent by the float 6, so that the biasing effects on the grids of the two amplifying tubes l6 and I! will also be the same. In this connection it is pointed out that with the float in the neutral position, the bias adjustment 28 is set for emission approximately between midway and cut-off. From this it follows that the pulsating plate output voltages from the amplifiers l6 and I1 delivered to the opposing subdivisions 39 and 40 of the primary coil 38 of the push-pull transformer 4| will in turn be equal normally but in opposition and therefore cancel each other, and therefore do not affect the secondary of the transformer. Accordingly the system is normally balanced with the motor 5 quiescent. Either a slight rise or fall of the float 6 from its normal position in the flow tube i will however result in causing a disturbance or change in the system as will be presently explained, whereby the motor 5 will be operated in the proper direction to actuate the valve 3 for increased or decreased flow of the fluid in the metering tube and thereby cause said float to be returned to its normal position. Let it be assumed that due to a drop in the rate of flow of the fluid the float 6 falls slightly in the metering tube As a consequence more light will impinge upon the photo-electric cell l2 and less upon the photo-electric cell l3 with attendant production of a signal impulse whereby the po tential on the grid of the amplifier I6 will be rendered more negative and that of the amplifier l1 rendered less negative. The plate output of the amplifier I! will therefore dominate that of the amplifier It in its effect upon the push-pull transformer 4| and cause firing of the thyratron 50 with attendant delivery of current to the subdivision 62 of the field coil 63 of the motor 5 in the same manner as described in the application supra, whereby said motor is operated in the proper direction to further open the valve 6, with resultant increase in the flow of fluid in the metering device I and lifting of the float 6 toward its normal position. While this is being accomplished, the light impinging upon the photo-electric cell I2 will be gradually decreased. Due to attendant change in the grid potential of the amplifier I1 and in turn of the thyratron 66, the latter will eventually de-ionize and resume its normal dormant condition. Slight rise of the float 6 in the metering tube I will, on the other hand, be attended by increase in the light impinging upon the photo-electric tube I6, which, in a like manner, will result in impression of a signal voltage upon the thyratron 46 whereby the latter is caused to fire and permit current flow to the subdivision 6| of the field coil of the motor 6 for operation of said motor now in the opposite direction. The fluid flow in the metering tube I will thus be decreased until the float 6 again resumes its normal position. In either 8 sistance 66 of 20,006 ohms. interposed in the instance, due to to the compensative action of the feed-back network 66, 66, 65, 66, 61 and resistances 69 and I6, movement of the motor 5 will be interrupted as the float approaches its neutral position so as to preclude overtravel of the latter and hunting in the manner fully set forth in U. S. Patent 2,154,375 granted to Carl C. Chambers, one of the present applicants.

Embodiment illustrated in Fiq. 2 f

In this embodiment of our invention, pentodes I6a, IIa of the type 6SK7 are employed in lieu of the triodes I 6, ll of the first describedembodiment, for amplifying the signal impulses received from the photo-electric cells I2a, I3a incident to rise or fall of the float 6a in the metering tube Ia.

Except as presently pointed out, the control system of Fig. 2 is substantially. identical with that of the first described embodiment, wherefore all the corresponding elements have been identified by the same reference numerals previously employed with the addition in each instance of the letter "a for convenience of ready distinction and preclusion of the necessity for repetitive description. In this instance, the metering tube supplementary control means in association with the portion of the system which is identical to that of the flrst described embodiment and which may be referred to as the primary control means. As shown, this supplemental control means includes an additional pair of amplifiers 66 and 6| (which may be of the type 6SN7) whereof the filaments are heated by transformed current from a circuit 62, and the cathodes connected through.

adjustable resistances 63 and 64 in circuits and 66. The grids of the auxiliary amplifiers- 66 and 6| are'respectively connected with the control grids of the primary amplifiers IIa, I6a by the conductors 61 and 66. The output voltages from the plates or. anodes of the auxiliary amplifiers 66 and 6| are impressed, byway of conductors 66 and 66, upon the control grids of a pair of auxiliary thyratrons 6| and 62 (which may be of the 2050 type), while the plates or anodes of the latter tubes are connected by a conductor '66 to a supply line 66 through a rethe plus voltage fed from I2|,-|6a and 61 to grid of 66 to increase its emisconductors 66 and 66 are resistors 61. 66, 66 and I66, I6I, I62; and extending between said conductors at points between these resistors are conductors I66 and I66, which are connected to the A. C. supply line I66, I66. Interposed in the conductors I66 and I64 are condensers I I6, III and H2, 6 each of 5 microfarads capacity. The resistors 61, 66 and I66, I6I may each be of the order of 160,000 ohms, and the resistors 66 and I62 each of 5 megohms. As shown, the conductors 66 and 66 are in circuit with current supply sources respectively through resistors III and- I II which may be of the value of 10,066 ohms each. Extending from the cathodes of the auxiliary thyratrons 6| and 62 to the conductors I la and I6a which lead to the control'grids of the primary amplifying tubes I611, I111 are feed-back wires H6, 6 with interposed resistors at I26, I 2| of 5 megohms each.

In the event that the float 6a drops to a level such that the photo-electric cell I2a is exposed to nearly the maximum amount of light from the bar I6a, the output of the auxiliary amplifier 6| will be reduced due to the greater negative bias on its control grid. The reduced flow through the tube 6| and the resistor III under these conditions will cause the grid of the auxiliary thyratron 62 to become more positive. Since the tube 62 will fire only when the negative potential on its grid decreases, adjustmentis made at "which will cause firing Just before the photo-electric cell I2a is fully expmed to the light beam from the bar Ilia. Upon firing of the auxiliary thyratron 62, current will flow through its cathode and a 5 megohm resistor at I26, thereby causing the voltage in the line "6 to become more positive, with the result that the output from the primary amplifier and thyratron "a and 66 will be increased. When the float 6a has dropped to the point where both of the photo-electric tubes I211, Ila are fully exposed to the light, the auxiliary amplifier 66 will emit sufilciently to prevent the auxiliary thyratron 6| from flring because of L, resistors I23, II6,

sion and thereby prevent thyratron 6| from flring, and the primary amplifier I'Ia will emit enough to cause an unbalance in the flow through the primary coil 36a of the push-pull transformer a, so that the motor So will keep run-' ning in the proper direction to further open the valve 6a for increased fluid flow in the metering tube Ia. As the float 6a rises in consequence and shades the photo-electric tube I2a, the grid voltages of the primary and auxiliary amplifiers I61: and 6| will be increased, thereby causing auxiliary thyratron 62 to cease firing, with attendant removal of the impulse on the grid of amplifier I10 and restoring the system to its original condition. The performance of the control in the event that the float- 6a rises beyond the province of both photo-electric cells |2a and Ila will be the same as just described but with the auxiliary ampl fier 66 effective upon the auxiliary thyratron 6| to keep the motor 6a running in the opposite direction until normal conditions again prevail in the system. Accordingly the supplemental control means is interlocked with the primary control means and becomes effective somewhat before movement of the float 6a in either direction wholly beyond the photo-electric cells I2a, lie to b ng about the return of said float in after itis entirely brought back into the province of said cells, whereupon the control is again 7 taken over by the primary means and the float again restored to its normal or neutral position without attendant overthrow or hunting due to the modulating characteristics of said primary control means.

Embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3

In this embodiment of our invention, the light bulb 1b, the beam-conducting bars 8b-I Ib and the photo-electric cells I21), I32) are all mounted which said drum is secured. At I3I is conventionally indicated a recorder whereof the marking stylus arm I32 is operated, through a link I33, from a crank I35 on the shaft I30 of the motor 5b. In the control system of Fig. 3 it will be observed that in association with the thyratrons 49b and 50b, I employ relays I 36 and I31 whereof the switch armatures are indicated at I38 and I39 and the actuating magnet coils at I40 and I4 I. As shown, one end of the plate'or anode of the thyratron 49b is connected, through a conductor I42, to one end of the coil I40 and to the contact I43 of the relay I 36, andthe plate of thyratron 5012 connected through a conductor I45 to one end of the coil HI and to the contact I46 of relay I31, said relay coils being respectively in series with the fleld of the motor 5b through conductors I41 and I48. The pivots of the armatures I38, I39 of relays I 36, I31 are connected by a conductor I49, and, as shown, normally engage the contacts Iv and I5I which are connected, one to the other, by a conductor I52, and which, together with the cathodes of thyratrons 49b, 50b, are connected to one side L of a supply line through a conductor I53. Coupled by means of an adjustable link I with the stylus arm I32 of the recorder I3I is an arm I56, which, with interposition of insulation at I51, carries a slide contact I58. As shown, this contact I58 is connected to the other side L' of the supply line through a resistor I59 and is adapted to be shifted relative to the central point of a resistance I60 whereof the opposite ends are connected to the divided primary coil I6I of a push-pull transformer I62. This push-pull transformer I 62 is intended to be utilized like the pushpull transformer H of Fig. l in actuating a valve (not shown) in Fig. 3 to control the rate of flow of the fluid through the metering tube lb in the' same manner'and through instrumentalities similar to those illustrated in Fig. 1. Upon deviation of the float 6b downward, for example, the-photoelectric cell I3b will receive less light and the photo-electric cell I2b will receive more light. The signal impulse thus produced will cause an unbalance in the divided primary of the push-pull transformer MD. This unbalance sends a signal impulse to the thyratron 56b causing it to fire. The motor 5b is thus operated by current flow from the ground through wire I53 cathode of thyratron 50b through the plate to wire I45 through the coil I to wire I46, the subdivision 58b of the split field of said motor and through the armature to the L side of the supply line. Simultaneously this same current flow passing through the coil I of relay I36 energizes this coil to pull the armature I39 into engagement with the contact I46.

8 It will be observed that it is no longer necessary for the thyratron 50b to be-flring since the armature I39 is held down by current flowing from ground through wire I53, I52, contact I50, armature I36, wire I49, armature I39, contact I46 through the coil as before through the motor. If the float passes down beyond the range of the light beam IIb, the motor 5b will remain in operation in a direction to move the carriage I25 downward into the influence of the float. when this has occurred to the point where the float 6b is relatively above the changed neutral position, there will now be more light on photo-electric cell I3b and less light on photo-electric cell I2b. This produces in the push-pull transformer 4") a signal of a reverse character to actuate thyratron 49b so that current flows from L through the cathode, the plate, wire I42, coil I40, wire I41, and the other subdivision 6Ib of the field coil of motor 5b causing the latter to run in the reverse direction. Simultaneously this current flow through coil I 40 of relay I36 pulls armature I36 into engagement with contact I43 thereby disengaging the ground connection from the armature I39 of relay I31 and causing coil I4I of said relay I31 to be deenergized. At the same time energizing of coil I40 of relay I36 locks in the armature I38 in the same manner vasdescribed above for coil MI. The lock-in circuit starts from ground through line I53, contact I5I, armature I39, wire I49, contact I43 through the coil I40, wire I41, coil 6Ib of the motor 511 to the L side of the line.

Embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4

In this embodiment of our invention, the motor 50 moves the carriage I25c to follow the float 6c to actuate a recorder I 3Ic in the manner as described in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 3. Except as will be presently pointed out, the control system which actuates the motor 50, is identical to that of the first described embodiment, wherefor all corresponding elements have been identified by the same reference numerals previously employed with the addition, however, in each instance of the letter c for convenience of ready distinction and to here again preclude the necessity for repetitive description. In this instance the center tap between coils 3Ic and 320 is directly connected to L without the bias adjustment (potentiometer 26) shown in Fig. 1, the tubes I6c and He being biased by the plate I of rectifler I8c through the photo-electric cells I2c and I3c which normally emit. For the purpose of setting up signal impulses to insure continued operation of the carriage actuating motor 5c in the proper direction when the element 60 moves either up or down entirely out of the range of the photo-electric cells I 20, I30 we have here provided supplemental control means which includes two thyratrons 2I0 and 2 (which may be of the type 2050) whereof the filaments and cathodes are heated by transformed current as conventionally shown, and whereof the plates are respectively connected by conductors H3 and 2l5 to the coils of electro-magnetic relays 2I9 and 2 I8 to the L' side of the supply line. The armatures of relays 2I9 and 2I3 are connected to the grounded side of the line. When both relay coils are deenergized the armature of relay 2I9 is connected through conductor 2 to the cathode of the tube 2I I with the limit switch 2 I6 interposed, and the armature of relay 2 I8 is connected to the cathode 2I2 of tube 2I0 with the limit switch 2I1 interposed. The control grid of tube 2I0 is connected through resistors 205 and 203 to slide wire of potentiometer resistor 202. Between resistors and 203 is condenser 204 connected to L. The resistances 203 and 205 and condenser 204 serve to filter the output from the plate of tube llc while the variable resistance 202 serves to ad- Just the amount of negative bias ,developed by tube lie so that the degree of emission from the latter will determine whether thyratron 2l0 will fire or not. The elements 206, 201, 208 and 209 perform-the same functions for tube I60 and thyratron 2| I. One end of potentiometer 202 is connected to L side of the line, while the other end is connected by means of conductor 200 to the plate of the amplifying tube llc. Similarly one end of potentiometer 206 is connected to L, and the other end connected through a conductor 20l to the plate of amplifying tube "is. When the coil of relay 2l8 is energized the armature of this relay connects the L side of line to the point between resistors 53c and 560 through conductor 225. When the coil of relay H8 is energized the armature of its coil connects the L side of the line to the point between resistors 5 lo and 550 through conductor 220.

In the event that the float 6c drops to a level such that the photo-electric cell l2c is exposed to a little more light than the photo-electric cell I30, the thyratron He will fire and operate the motor with compensation as described in connection with Fig. 1. If, however, the float 60 drops further to a point such that the photoelectric cell l2c is exposed to nearly the maximumamount of light from the bar Me, the negative bias from the anode of said cell will increase negative voltage potential on the grid of amplifier I 60. This will reduce fiow of current from the plate of amplifier l6c. The connection from the L side of the line, through 400, through the subdivision 390 of the primary coil point 380 of push-pull transformer llc, conductor 20l, potentiometer resistor 206 and resistors 20! and 209 to control grid of thyratron 2| I will remove what remains of the negative bias which has kept said thyratron from firing, the condenser 208 serving to smooth out the ripples in the current. The firing of thyratron 2ll energizes the coil of relay 2| 8 and causes the armature 222 to connect the L side of line through conductor 220, resistor c to the grid of thyratron 49c where it removes the negative bias (if any) on this grid and keeps this thyratron firing and the motor 50 running in the proper direction to raise the float 60. If nevertheless the float 6c continues to drop, the photoelectric cell l3c will also become illuminated but cannot cause actuation of relay 2 I 9 because of the interlocking action of relay 2|8, wherein lifting of the armature 222 breaks the connection from the L side of line to the cathode of thyratron 2|0.

Conversely, when the float to rises to a level such that the photo-electric cell |3c is exposed to 9, little more light than the photo-electric cell l2c, the thyratron 500 will fire and likewise cause operation of the motor 50 but in the opposite direction. If the float moves still further upward so that the photo-electric cell l3c is exposed to nearly the maximum bar llc, the negative bias from the anode of said cell will cause more negative potential on the grid ofthe amplifier lie with consequent reduction in the flow of current from the plate of the latter. The connection from the L side of the line through the subdivision 400 of the primary coil of transformer 4 la, conductor 31c, potentiometer resistor 202, resistors 203 and 205 to control grid of thyratron 2l0 will remove the remains of the negative bias which has kept said thyratron from firing. The firing of thyratron 2l0 energizes the coil of relay 2l9 and causes the armature 222 to connect the ground side of line through conductor 225, resistor 560 to the grid of thyratron 50c where it removes the negative bias, if any, on this grid and prevents said thyratron from firing and the motor 5c running in the opposite direction to tion to influence the light received by either amount of light from the photo-electric cell, one or the other, but not both of the relays U9 and 2 It will be energized as both thyratrons H0 and 2 will have grids of approximately the same potential as their respective cathodes, but the first relay to operate will disconnect the cathode of the thyratron which is connected to the other relay. The capacity of condensers 226, 221 will change the time of operation slightly. Now ,if, for example, relay 2|! should close, relay 2l0 cannot close, and if motor 50 starts to run in the wrong direction, i. e., to cause movement of the float 6c away from neutral, it will run until the limit switch shown at 2|! opens the connection to the cathode of tube 2|0, the relay 2|9 will thus be de-energized and its armature 223 will connect the L side of the line to the cathode 2| 4 of the tube 2| I, and the coil 2l8 will be energized thereby running the motor in the opposite or correct direction to cause return of the float 60 to neutral position.

Embodiment shown in Figure 5 In this form of my invention, two spaced coils l2d and l3d are provided to serve as detectors, said coils encircling the fiow tube Id and having their contiguous ends connected to one side L or a current supply. The outer ends of the detector coils mi and l3d are respectively connected through conductors l 4d and lid with the grids of the amplifying triodes lid and lld of which the cathodes are also connected to the side of the supply line of which the other side is shown at L. A resistance-condenser network at 230 renders the tubes ltd and lld self-biasing. The output from the tubes lid and lid is impressed by way of conductors 36d and 31d upon the divided primary coil of the push-pull transformer do Normally with the fioat id in neutral position, the outputs from the tubes l6d and lld will be equal and oppose each other in the primary of the transformer 4 Id. However, when the float 6d moves downward, for example, the signal impulse produced causes the grid of tube id to become more positive, and the grid of the tube In to become more negative due to the lesser choking action of said fioat in the detector coil l2d. The output from the tube l6d will thus predominate that of the tube lld as in the form shown in Fig. 4. Similarly rise of the float 6d from neutral position will result in predominance in the output tector arrangement of Fig. may be substituted upon for dependable service over long periods 01' use. These several forms are to be considered as typical of other possible forms within the scope of the appended claim, wherein detector devices other than photo-electric cells or coils may be employed; for example, spaced condensers to produce signal impulses through capacity variations incident to relative movement between them and the object being controlled.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

A control system of the character described for controlling a reversible electric motor in response to changes in the position of a movable object,

said system including a primary control means comprising a light source and a pair of photoelectric cells both partially eclipsed by the movable object when in its normal position and positioned so that on movement of the object in either direction within the range of both of said cells the eclipse of one cell is increased while the exposure or the other cell to the action of said light source is correspondingly increased, and so positioned that said movable object may pass in either direction beyond the range of one of said cells thereby exposing it fully to said light source while completely eclipsing the other or said cells,

and supplemental means responsive to said fully exposed cell whereby the energization or said motor is maintained to return said movable object even though the other of said cells may likewise become fully exposed to said light source until said movable object is returned to a position within the range of both 01' said cells.

GEORGE A. BROOKE, JR.

CARL C. CHAmERS.

REFERENCES CITED Theioliowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 20,476 Wilson et a1. Aug. 17, 1937 1,877,810 Chamberlain Sept. 20,1932 1,999,646 Wittlguhns Apr. v30, 1935 2,069,959 Kuljian Feb. 9, 1937 2,070,617 -Ofiutt Feb. 16, 1937 2,091,303 Brelsford Aug. 31, 1937 2,132,677 Chance Oct. 11, 1938 2,147,422 Bendz' Feb. 14, 1939 2,154,375 Chambers Apr. 11, 1939 2,182,717 Chance Dec. 5, 1939 2,317,807 Ryder Apr. 27, 1943 2,330,427 Hornfeck Sept. 28, 1943 2,346,117 Stabler Apr. 4, 1944 2,357,745 Kliever Sept. 5, 1944 2,376,459 Stevens .1 May 22, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country I Date 408,936 Germany Jan. 29, 1925 Germany Oct. 15, 1934 

